#DailyDevotion Moses Foretells the Resurrection and Return of Christ
Easter Week 6 Wednesday
Read Num 10:11–36
Num 10:33-36 So they set out from the mount of the LORD three days’ journey. And the ark of the covenant of the LORD went before them three days’ journey, to seek out a resting place for them. (34) And the cloud of the LORD was over them by day, whenever they set out from the camp. (35) And whenever the ark set out, Moses said, “Arise, O LORD, and let your enemies be scattered, and let those who hate you flee before you.” (36) And when it rested, he said, “Return, O LORD, to the ten thousand thousands of Israel.”
The pillar of cloud by day led this procession of the people of God. It was followed by the ark with the appointed Levites carrying that. Leading the rest of the tribes of Israel was Judah, for the scepter would not depart from between his feet. The messiah, the prince of the peoples would come from him.
They traveled for three days this first time and then the Lord signaled their rest. And so it was that the Lord who led the Israelites in the pillar of cloud by day and fire by night would be born of Judah and on the third day rise from the dead so that we all might enter into his rest. As the world was in darkness the days of our Lord Jesus’ rest in the tomb, his cloud covered the Israelites so they would be protected by the sun. Even so the apostles were kept safe the covering of his wings for he had a plan for them.
Moses cries out, “Arise, O LORD, and let your enemies be scattered, and let those who hate you flee before you.” And so, our Lord Jesus Christ, the same Lord who led the Israelites rises from the dead. He has scattered his enemies and brought them into confusion. Death, sin and the devil have no power over him. He has won the victory. Now his victory is our victory. We need not fear sin, death or the power of the devil. He has no power over us. Jesus has defeated him. He demonstrated this in his resurrection. Life, eternal life is now ours.
Moses also cries out, “Return, O LORD, to the ten thousand thousands of Israel.” So too, our Lord Jesus Christ is returning for judgment day. He shall slay his enemies, raise up the dead and take his Israel, all who trusted in him and in his name into the promised land of the new heavens and the new earth. Those who rejected him as their savior, king and God won’t have to be with him. They he will cast into outer darkness, the Lake of Fire, to be tortured with Satan and all who believed and followed him.
So the only question is are you part of the Israel of God or are you outside the kingdom? If your faith is in Christ Jesus who was crucified, buried and risen from the dead, you are children of Abraham and Israel’s descendents. If that is not your faith, you are not currently part of Israel. But you still have breath, so turn to Jesus and be saved today.
Almighty God, Heavenly Father, ever give us faith in your son Jesus Christ, that we may be considered Israel and enter into the promised land as we are raised with Christ on the day of his coming. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.